....Even on the Days You Feel Behind

If you’ve ever reached the end of the day and thought, “That wasn’t a good day... I didn’t get enough done,” you’re not alone.

On a group coaching call today, that exact thought came up. One member shared her frustration over not being productive, and it opened up a conversation we all needed. Because here’s the truth: a “good” day is not the same as a “productive” day — and productivity is not the same as personal worth.

Sometimes, a good day means resting after running at full speed. Sometimes it’s about clarity, stillness, or simply recovering your energy. And in the real world of leadership, family, entrepreneurship, and team management, those moments matter just as much — if not more — than checking everything off a list.

In fact, the more we talked about it, the more it became clear: your energy is what really determines how effective your time is.

The Power of Energy in Your Workday

We often treat time like it’s our only resource, but time without energy is just empty space. You’ve probably had days where everything technically fit in the calendar, but you still felt like you were running on fumes. That’s because energy — not time — is what drives momentum, presence, and clarity.

On the flip side, when your energy is high, centered, and clear, tasks that usually take hours get done in half the time. Conversations go smoother. You make better decisions. You recover faster when things go wrong. That’s why managing your energy is one of the most strategic things you can do — especially in a customer-facing, fast-moving industry like flooring.

Language Shapes Energy

One of the insights that landed hard on today’s call was how we respond when someone casually asks, “How are you?”

Most of us say, “Busy.” But what does that signal?

When you respond with “busy,” even if it’s the truth, it sends out a frequency of stress. It can make others feel like they’re an interruption, even if that’s not your intent. It also reinforces the internal belief that you’re overloaded — and that can affect how you engage with your day.

What if instead, you said something like:
“I’m navigating a full day, but I’m glad we’re talking.”
Or: “I’ve got a lot going on, but I’m present here with you.”

These shifts are subtle, but they change everything. They soften the energy you bring into a conversation. They create space instead of stress. And most importantly, they put you in the driver’s seat of how you show up — even when your schedule is packed.

Be Responsible for the Energy You Bring

You can’t control how others show up — but you can control how you show up. That’s where leadership starts.

Customers will come to you upset. Coworkers will have bad days. Life will throw curveballs. The key is managing your own emotional state so you don’t spiral with every external stressor.

This isn’t about being fake or pretending everything is fine when it’s not. It’s about knowing what triggers your energy to dip, and learning how to reset.

When you find yourself personalizing things — taking someone’s comment too deeply, feeling overly sensitive, or spiraling after a bad interaction — check in. Ask yourself: Am I tired? Am I hungry? Am I run down? Am I carrying emotional weight that’s unrelated to this moment?

Often, the problem isn’t what they said. It’s that you’re depleted.

That’s your cue. Instead of pushing through, take a walk. Grab a nourishing snack. Step outside for five minutes. These small resets are not indulgences — they’re strategic. They put you back in control of your energy, and that shows up in every interaction that follows.

Your Energy Is a Leadership Tool

When you enter a space with grounded, clear energy, things change. Customers soften. Conversations become easier. You make faster progress with less effort.

Consider this from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is: Don’t take anything personally. Easier said than done, right? But when your energy is protected and resourced, this becomes a real practice — not just a mantra.

Instead of reacting from emotion, you respond from leadership. You remember that most people’s behavior is a reflection of what they’re going through — not a reflection of your value or competence.

Energy Management Is Time Management

This is where everything ties together.

When you feel clear, resourced, and calm, you make better decisions about how to spend your time. You’re more likely to pause, prioritize, and focus — instead of reacting or overloading your to-do list.

As a group, we talked about ending the day with celebration. Instead of obsessing over what didn’t get done, reflect on what did. Then return to your list in the morning with a clear mind and a more discerning eye.

Ask yourself:
What’s truly urgent and important today?
What can be postponed, delegated, or eliminated?

Remember: the laws of physics apply to you, too. You cannot do 12 hours of work in 6. Stop expecting yourself to. Focus on the top 1–3 most urgent and important things, and trust that the rest will get handled in time — or by someone else.

Try This: Your Energy Check-In

Use these reflection questions to anchor yourself at the beginning or end of your day:

• What energy am I bringing into this room or task right now?

• What helps me recover quickly when I’m thrown off?

• What do I need to let go of so I can be more effective?

• What am I proud of today that has nothing to do with a to-do list?

Final Thoughts

When you start leading with optimizing your energy instead of trying to squeeze more out of your time, everything changes. Your team feels it. Your customers feel it. You feel it.

Managing your energy is not just a soft skill. It’s a power skill. And it’s one of the most valuable assets you can develop as a woman in business.

You don’t have to do more to be better.
You do have to own the energy you bring.
That’s what creates expansion — in your time, in your leadership, and in your life.